Issue 10 Web Edition SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935 October 21, 2020 BC Hits 9 Active

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Volume 86, Issue 10 Web Edition SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935 October 21, 2020 BC hits 9 active

By Aia Andonovska students will also be tested weekly. This will with one more case being a faculty member. COVID-19Copy Editor be random testing. As stated by D’Anna in casesThe total number of people quarantining is now the email, failure to show up for your allotted 80. D’Anna stated in an interview that she will On Oct. 16, 2020, Brevard College’s Dean of time for a test will result in suspension. In a send out the link to the dashboard so the campus Students, Deb D’Anna, sent out a campus-wide later email D’Anna clarified, “This email is community can have access to it. Students email update on the COVID-19 status at Brevard a correction to the first email. The statement should check the dashboard for daily updates. College. At the time, the number of cases stated about testing should have read students not Despite the rise in cases and going online last in the email was five. D’Anna also said that all of showing up for testing could be suspended not week, Brevard College students returned to in- the cases are contained within one student group. will be suspended. Suspension is never our first person classes this week. On the CDC’s website This group is currently in quarantine until Oct. option but is always an option. We want you they list considerations for institutions of higher 23. When this email was written, the amount to understand the seriousness of this situation. education. The lowest risk is listed as being of people in quarantine was 87 and two faculty If you want to talk to me about the testing virtual only. Under the “some risk” category the members had active cases. requirements, I am more than happy to talk with advised protocols are as follows: In the next part of her email, D’Anna listed the you. Please email me and we can set up at time • Students, faculty, and staff follow all steps next steps for campus. The group in quarantine to talk next week.” to protect themselves and others at all times, will continue to be tested for the remainder of When asked if there is a reason behind doing including proper use of face masks, social the semester until the health department or Blue random testing over required testing, D’Anna distancing, and hand hygiene. Ridge Health sees fit, and then they will test a said, “Surveillance testing is still not widespread • Hybrid learning model: Students participate percentage of the group weekly. D’Anna has or recommended. Many places will only test if in virtual learning, and in-person learning is also stated that the students that tested positive a person has symptoms or have been exposed limited to courses and laboratory instruction for the virus are being housed in quarantine/ to a person testing positive. The 25 percent of that cannot be delivered remotely. isolation housing. “We have three areas dedicated different student groups will give us a clearer • Students, faculty, and staff participate in to quarantine/isolation housing; the guest house, picture of the exposure on our campus. Student small, in-person classes, activities, and the lower level of East Jones, and the duplex that athletes will not be included in the overall 25 events that allow individuals to remain used to be the athletic offices.” percent because each team will have 25 percent spaced at least 6 feet apart (e.g., lecture According to D’Anna, there is a difference of their roster tested weekly.” room with individual seating spaced 6 feet between isolation and quarantine. “Students are D’Anna was also asked by The Clarion if there apart). placed in isolation if they test positive. They is a benchmark in the school’s policy for when • Students avoid out-of-class social must remain in isolation for 10 days from the there are enough cases to switch to fully online gatherings and events and communications day they started showing symptoms or 10 days courses. She said, “This is a difficult question. and policies discouraged these activities. from the day they took the test as asymptomatic. The number of cases is not a clear indication • Apply and support strict adherence to They are released from isolation after the 10 day of an alarm. There are other factors that are cohorting, alternating schedules, and period as long as they have been without a fever considered. The current situation with cases is staggered schedules in residence halls, and symptoms for 24 hours.” She continued, contained within one student group. We have dining areas, and recreational areas on “Anyone that is considered a close contact with been able to contain the positives within this campus to create small groups of students a positive person but has not tested positive must group because of cohort housing. These students and minimize their contact with others (e.g., remain in quarantine for 14 days after the last day live in the same areas and this makes it easier to small cohorts of freshmen who live and of exposure. If we have an entire suite or students quarantine the group.” learn together). in the situation, we can allow them to quarantine The daily dashboard for COVID-10 on • Students, faculty, and staff do not share in their rooms. We try to do this when possible.” Brevard College’s campus was updated on Oct. One fourth of the athletic teams and residential 20, 2020. The total cases have now risen to nine, See ‘BC’ on page 2 Page 2 Campus News The Clarion | October 21, 2020 BC takes on precautions to combat spread of COVID-19 By Julie Carter Opinion Editor continue in-person instruction with limited small classes and small classrooms, compared Continued from Page 1 risk. We have worked closely with public health to most other schools, the College has been able objects (e.g., laboratory, art, or recreational officials in constructing the classroom spaces to create socially distanced classroom spaces, equipment and supplies). and in creating our protocols, along with all in conjunction with implementing classroom • Regularly scheduled (e.g., at least daily or the other schools in Western North Carolina, so and campus wide protocols, so that we can between uses) cleaning and disinfection of that we may continue in-person instruction and continue in-person instruction with limited frequently touched areas occur as planned continue to fulfill our educational mission and risk. We have worked closely with public health (i.e., on-time and consistently). our promise to students at Brevard College as officials in constructing the classroom spaces This can be found under this link. https://www. much as we can. We coordinated what we are and in creating our protocols, along with all cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ doing with Mars Hill, Warren Wilson, Montreat, the other schools in Western North Carolina, so colleges-universities/considerations.html UNCA, and Western Carolina University. that we may continue in-person instruction and When Scott Sheffield, the Vice President of They are following similar protocols and also continue to fulfill our educational mission and Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty was implementing in-person instruction as they can our promise to students at Brevard College as By Mickayla Smith asked about these CDC guidelines, he said, and as it fits their educational mission, so we much as we can. We coordinated what we are Staff Writer “Brevard College is a very small educational are not alone in offering in-person instruction, doing with Mars Hill, Warren Wilson, Montreat, community, committed to personal, experiential though the percentage of our in-person classes UNCA, and Western Carolina University. learning. Our educational mission is best is higher than those of UNCA and WCU. Mars They are following similar protocols and also delivered in an in-person modality of instruction. Hill and Warren Wilson are doing very much the implementing in-person instruction as they can That is why most students choose to attend same things as we are.” and as it fits their educational mission, so we Brevard College. As we mostly have small He continued, “We changed, temporarily, are not alone in offering in-person instruction, classes and small classrooms, compared to to online modality last week (only once this though the percentage of our in-person classes most other schools, the College has been able semester, not two as you say) out of an abundance is higher than those of UNCA and WCU. Mars to create socially distanced classroom spaces, of caution and because the number of students Hill and Warren Wilson are doing very much the in conjunction with implementing classroom in quarantine would have made it difficult for same things as we are.” and campus wide protocols, so that we can some professors to teach in two modalities. Extra steps to protect the safety of students It was also intended to give the College the that are being taken include the weekly time to assess the positive COVID-19 cases testing mentioned, additional cleaning, stricter and do further testing on the athletic cohort, so enforcement of protocols, and continued the Clarion that we could make an informed decision on suspension of visitation in residence halls. whether or not to return to in-person classes. In D’Anna’s email from Oct. 16, she said, Senior Staff After extensive review of the COVID-19 cases “Facilities have contracted with a company that Editor in Chief Margaret Correll and contact tracing, it was determined that in- is disinfecting and sanitizing indoor spaces of Managing Editor person classes could safely resume for all those our buildings. This is a misting solution that has Copy Editor Aia Andonovska students not in quarantine or isolation. Since it been approved to fight COVID. This treatment Campus News Eleanor Flannery is very difficult for professors to teach in two is being applied today and will last 30 days. Opinion Eleanor Flannery modalities at one time, professors teaching Housekeeping will do additional cleaning along Arts & Life Kym Caldwell classes in which 25 percent of their students with this treatment.” Sports would be absent because of COVID-19 could In the last part of her email, D’Anna Layout & Design Margaret Correll choose the modality of their class for this week. encouraged students, “This past week has been ...... Kym Caldwell ...... Eleanor Flannery Some professors in these classes have chosen to a test of our campus. We are a campus that stay online for this week. Others have chosen to cares for each other and wants to do the right Staff Writers go back to in-person classes and accommodate thing for our campus community. We can do Isaac Ford Kellen McGeorge students who are absent due to COVID-19.” this together by wearing our masks, staying Caroline Hoy When asked, “Is the educational benefit of 6 feet apart at all times, washing our hands, in-person classes so much worth compared to reporting our symptoms, and getting tested. We the one of online classes that you are willing have forty days till the last day of final exams. The Clarion is a student-run college newspaper produced to run the risk and pay the cost of staying This is the final stretch. It is time for all of us by student journalists enrolled at Brevard College. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of with the policy, even when the cost is the to do our part to keep our campus community the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed in emergence of positive cases, twice so far?” safe. Our motto is “Learn in Order to Serve”. this newspaper are those of respective authors and do Sheffield responded, “There is no connection We have learned what to do to prevent COVID. not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard College. between the emergence of COVID-19 cases It is time to serve each other by following the All correspondence should be mailed to: on the Brevard College campus and in-person protocols and holding each other accountable. The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard classroom instruction. You can confirm this by Please remember to be kind to each other, College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712, or send contacting Dr. Debbie D’Anna, Vice President show compassion, stay positive, work hard, E-mail to [email protected] for Student for Student Success and Dean make it happen, and never stop learning. In the clarion.brevard.edu of Students. So this question is nonsensical. words of the great coach Pat Summit ‘There  Letters Policy: The Clarion welcomes As I said above, our educational mission is is an old saying: a champion is someone letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit best delivered in an in-person modality of willing to be uncomfortable.’ We are all feeling letters for length or content. We do not publish instruction. That is why most students choose uncomfortable right now, but we will come out anonymous letters or those whose authorship cannot be verified. to attend Brevard College. As we mostly have of this as champions.” October 21, 2020 | The Clarion Campus News Page 3 Brevard’s week of online

classesBy Caroline Hoy due to COVID-19Sheffield also mentioned how the immersion Staff Writer Sunday, Oct. 18. look to show 7 positive cases. this semester did not go online due to them On Oct. 10, 2020, at 7:02 p.m., Brevard But again this number is inconsistent when currently being on the coast. Immersion is a College sent out an email saying that classes looking at the COVID dashboard. group of seven to ten students planning and were going to be held online for the week. Jannie Kurtz, a Junior music major, was asked preparing to go on a 21 day expedition. This The decision was made due to three positive about how going online for a week affected her takes one semester and is a requirement for all COVID-19 cases in a short span of time. The classes. Kurtz said that overall everything went WILEE majors. The students will leave for their school, also, put in place actions to have all well, but the choir class was hard due to Zoom 21 day trip on Oct. 28. meals in the cafeteria to be served as to-go for lag. She is very happy for classes to go back Starting on Monday, Oct. 19, classes will go the week. to normal. back to in person, except for a select few classes Many students were and still are being Scott Sheffield, Vice President for Academic with a large number of students. The dining hall quarantined in their rooms due to the amount Affairs and Dean of Faculty, was interviewed will also resume dining inside, but take out will of people who contracted COVID-19 being about how classes went being online. Sheffield still be an option if students choose. from the same sports team and with the school’s said that at the faculty meeting, there was It is encouraged to keep in mind what Debora new protocol to have teams in the same housing positive feedback about how the week went, D’Anna, Dean of Students, said in her email to complex this was possible. Since there are only minus a few technical issues that were able to the school,“...This is the final stretch. It is time 60 beds reserved in quarantine it is presumed be solved by IT. for all of us to do our part to keep our campus that is the reason why students were quarantined Sheffield said that the most positive feedback community safe. Our motto is ‘Learn in Order to in their rooms. he received from teachers is that they were Serve.’ Brevard has earned what to do to prevent When looking at the numbers there was happy to see their students faces. One teacher COVID-19. It is time to serve the school by an inconsistency thus the correct number of mentioned how he won’t recognize his students following the protocols and holding each other COVID can not be reported. The numbers as of without a mask. accountable. City of Brevard to open dog park The city of Brevard is currently constructing a new dog park on 2.7 acres of land. This land was donated by the HCA, or Hospital Corporation of America. It will be located at the City of Brevard Sports Complex on Ecusta Road. The dog park will have separate off leash areas for small and large dogs. Councilwoman Mareen Copelof said, "We have an amazing team that is working on the dog park. We have about 20 people, and it is a combination of just volunteers from the public, some very talented people who have donated their time and expertise to this, and a good number of city staff and council members." She also stated that between June and August, 43 loads of brush were removed from the site. Funding for the park is through a combination of city funding and public donations. To make the dog park a reality, donations are still needed. For a donation of $100 or more, a brick can be engraved and placed at the entrance of the park to honor your furry friend. A donation form can be downloaded from cityofbrevard.com/dog-park-brick Courtesy of the Transylvania Times — Aia Andonovska Plans of the future dog park. Page 4 Arts & Life The Clarion | October 21, 2020 Satirical Piece Zombie co-op gets an update By Kellen McGeorge Daryl the Dog Staff Writer While we are still recovering from our temporary scare, it might be fun for some of us to try and take on a different type of pandemic. If you have a need to take on the Dispatcher undead or just looking for a fun multiplayer Way out in the boondocks of Transylvania unworthy, or old spirit is all I can do,” he added. experience, then “Left 4 Dead 2” is the game County, not far from Brevard College, in the Many folks in Balsam Grove rely on Daryl for you to try out. little village that is Balsam Grove, there is a the Dog Dispatcher to shoot their beloved pet In “Left 4 Dead 2”, you take control of man that grants passage to the rainbow bridge whenever it’s the animal’s time to venture to one of four survivors stuck in a zombie for canines. Nicky Haleigh, a resident of the another realm or when their owners deem it apocalypse, each survivor has their own area, said of the man that “He did what my justified. Several, if not all of the residents, personality and takes on the apocalypse, some family couldn’t do, and there’s nothing in the said that they are extraordinarily thankful for take it as a horrible thing, others take it as a world that would allow us to thank him enough the legend’s ability to adequately address their chance to cut loose and go nuts. With each for his kindness and generosity.” Another concerns in an efficiently swift manner. Willie level, your objective is to survive and make it inhabitant of Balsam Grove, Kile Rottinhause, Bard, a representative of the region’s interests, to the next safe room while taking out as many said that “While I have the means to send my said that “Even while we are all strictly infected as you can with a nice arsenal of dog over, even if it's not the time, I just don't following the guidelines in place due to the weapons. Each level has a gimmick to it and have the heart enough to do so.” current pandemic and while many people are a zombie that is native to that area, meaning Nearly all of the residents of this small and shadowed in doubt, Daryl the Dog Dispatcher some weapons won’t work and you will need antiquated area of backwoods North Carolina has continued to provide his services to our to be smart about how you take them out. have confessed their love and admiration for community while maintaining social distancing “Left 4 Dead 2” has tons of weapons the local legend, Daryl the Dog Dispatcher. and wearing a CDC recommended N95 that each have their own strengths and “It’s so hard for me to encourage acts of this respirator.” weaknesses. From crowbars to axes and nature,” says Galvin Mclenis, a prominent pump shotguns to grenade launchers, there is member of the community’s Acceptance —Scott Urquhart something for everyone, but remember, every and Awareness Group, “But calling upon weapon has a weakness to consider, an assault our hometown hero to release a forgotten, rifle might have a decent rate of fire, but that won’t matter if you can hit anything while moving to another location, and a shotgun might cut through zombies at close range, but they’ll hit like a wet napkin at long range. You won’t just have to deal with regular zombies, the infected have their own special zombies to bring to the table. Each special infected has a different use for bringing panic to survivors, and it is important to know what you are going up against. Smokers will tie you up and strangle you if they get the chance, and upon death will leave a cloud of thick smoke that will make it hard for you to see where zombies are coming from, and for Boomers, they will cover you in a nasty bile that blinds you and attracts more infected to your location, and like their names say, they explode upon death covering any unfortunate soul near them in their bile. So join the many people who are taking on the undead in “Left 4 Dead 2”, with a new update just released with a brand new level and campaign. I had a lot of fun playing this game and definitely enjoyed the many different campaigns the game provides, and I hope more people will get involved with the game. Jump into the game and remember to keep an eye out for tanks. October 21, 2020 | The Clarion Opinion Page 5 Brevard College prefers blue BC prefers Democrats in The Clarion’s 2020 election poll Brevard College prefers Democrats in this year’s election, whether for governor, senator, or president, where former Vice President Joe Biden is favored over President Donald Trump by a more than two-to-one margin. Those are the preliminary results in The Clarion’s general election poll for the 2020 election, distributed via Google Forms to students, staff and faculty earlier this month. So far, we have received 192 responses to the poll, which would give the survey a margin or error of plus-or-minus 6 percent. To encourage more responses, and to get a more accurate view of the opinions of the BC community, The Clarion is keeping the survey open for the remainder of this week, and we plan to give updates in next week’s issue. For now, at least, Biden has a commanding lead, the choice of 65 percent of respondents. Trump, by contrast, was the choice for only 27 percent of those responding to the poll. Only 3 percent said they were still undecided. The poll showed strong support for other Democrats as well, including for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (65 percent, compared to just 26 percent for the Republican challenger Dan Forest). In the race for U.S. Senate, Cal Cunningham is the choice for 59 percent of responses, while the incumbent, Thom Tillis, is favored by 28 percent. And in the North Carolina House District 11 race, Moe Davis leads Republican Madison Cawthorn by 30 percentage points, 55 to 25 percent. This is the seat in Congress formerly held by Mark Meadows, who resigned in order to take over as the president’s chief of staff. As more responses come in, these results could change, of course. The data so far show, however, that BC employees are more likely to favor Biden in the presidential race: while the number who favor Biden is roughly the same as the number of students, far fewer employees prefer Trump: just nine, compared to 37 students. Among current students, the data show a preference for Biden over Trump in all four classes, but the margin for freshmen and sophomores, a difference of seven, is slightly closer than for juniors and seniors, where the difference is 11. More responses from current students are needed, however, to get a clearer picture of who BC students prefer in the presidential race. To respond to The Clarion 2020 Election Poll if you have not already, visit http://bit.ly/ clarion-2020election. Page 6 Opinion The Clarion | October 21, 2020 Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing What readers and potential voters need to know By Margaret Correll hypothetical questions brought forth by the Committee is on track since the hearing was Editor in Chief committee, Barrett revealed that she was trying less than eventful. This hearing, in contrast to to follow a rule set by her possible predecessor, Bret Kavanaugh’s hearing in 2018, was civil President Donald Trump’s recent Supreme the late Ruth Bader GInsburg. The rule is and uninteresting. Barrett’s ability to answer in Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett was known as the “Ginsburg rule”, stating that the most vague and unbiased way possible may questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee judicial ethics require that judges should not have saved her from more scrutiny than she this past week in a hearing before the Senate weigh in on issues that come before them and received during the long hours of the hearing. votes to confirm. She and the committee sat Barrett repeatedly stated during the hearing, Graham praised Barrett, in a disturbing way through almost 20 hours of questioning. “No hints, no previews, no forecasts.” stating, “This is the first time in American Senator from South Carolina, Lindsay Democrats tried to hone in on questions about history that we've nominated a woman who is Graham seemed pretty confident on her health care, reminding the panel, Barrett, and unashamedly pro-life and embraces her faith confirmation by the committee, stating to the viewers that Trump has repeatedly tried to without apology, and she is going to the court,” NPR, “This is probably not about persuading use the Supreme Court to overturn Obamacare, said Graham. This solidifies the Republicans' each other unless something really dramatic placed by former president, Barack Obama. faith in Barrett and their hope that she would happens,” said Graham, “All Republicans She was also asked about her stance on climate uphold that dogma that they so desperately will vote yes and all Democrats will vote no change and its threat to the environment which want to reintegrate back into the government. and that will be the way the breakout of the she also declined to answer. While Barrett did not reveal her beliefs to vote.” The panel will vote on Oct. 22, 2020 The final, large issue to be covered was the panel as many would have liked to see, and if confirmed, the full Senate will vote the idea of President Donald Trump and the it is clear how GOP lawmakers feel about shortly after. potential pardon cases. Barrett assured that her nomination and what this could mean for The Senate Judiciary committee grilled panel that she would recuse herself if any such American citizens and their livelihoods being Barrett on important issues and topics in cases came up and the court would go through debated on the Supreme Court. If any of these the political climate, currently, such as the proper steps to analyze the cases. important issues are debated if she is appointed abortion, health care and voting rights. Barrett, It seems that Amy Coney Barrett’s to the court, women should consider investing according to NPR, revealed herself as an confirmation by the Senate Judiciary in red capes and white blinders. “originalist”, meaning she prefers to not make decisions from the bench, but to adhere to the text of statutes. Many Democrats on the panel attempted to pin her with difficult questions regarding these extremely important issues, but Barrett approached every question with a cool and slightly vague answer. They added that her appointment to the Supreme Court could be detrimental to millions of Americans, based on how she chooses to analyze and interpret specific cases. An instance during her questioning brought Texas GOP Senator, John Cornyn, to ask about her notes that she was using to prepare her answers to the committee. Barrett held up a blank notepad, indicating that she had not prepared material or had been writing anything down during the hearing. She defended herself by stating that she could speak for hours about Photo from WCTI legal issues with no notes, a controversial statement to say the least. Amy Coney Barrett at her Supreme Court confirmation hearing. While declining to answer several October 21, 2020 | The Clarion Opinion Page 7

DoesBy Isaac Ford YourNihilism proposesVote that nothing matters. Matter?the healthcare, economic, and personal Staff Writer Life has no meaning, and therefore living is implications as time goes on. At any point Election day is Nov. 3, and early voting has meaningless. In that sense, it borders on apathy, in human history, writers will attribute or already started in many states. According to but apathy is not nihilism. It is the feeling of imbue a particular moment of the present with NPR, there has been historic voter turnout for not feeling – there is no hope or enjoyment, immeasurable significance, and the year of early voting just in the first two days, revealing and nothing seems worth it. It is like being in 2020 will be no exception. that the democratic itch is alive and burning for a state of existential limbo. The world wears Your vote matters. Your vote counts. If it numerous Americans. us down, and we get burnt out. We can become will make a difference, then it matters. If a Despite our repeated failures and mishaps indifferent, unenthusiastic, and uncaring. In the candidate does not match your values on one as a nation, many still believe in our national world that we live in, it is so easy to be apathetic account, is there anything else in their platform ideals of liberty and justice for all, safeguarded when there is so much to care about and so that aligns with your views? What are their by our natural, inalienable rights. One of the many people telling you to care. views on the economy? The environment and United States’ most admirable qualities lies Of all the two-hundred million eligible climate change? The coronavirus pandemic? in its constant commitment to achieving its voters in the last four elections, only about Healthcare? Do you like the president? Do you potential, both as a people, and as a nation. half (between fifty and sixty percent) voted in not like the president? Do you think they will We have set a high standard for ourselves – at each one. Where is the voice of the other half? do excellent work, if reelected? least in principle. We often fail to emulate and What do they want? Even if you will not vote for either party personify everything we hold dear as a nation; We are living in the Anthropocene, a period in candidate, there are local county and state our history is a history of great irony. Earth’s history where humans have drastically candidates running for office or reelection on One of our most essential rights is the liberty changed and influenced the natural world. We the ballot. Your vote determines what happens to vote. Since the conception of the United are also living in an era of increasing diversity on a local level, too. Your vote will determine States 244 years ago, the right to vote, and and tolerance, with major advancements the outcome. Your vote matters. Your vote what that right means, has undergone repeated in social and civil rights. We also are still counts. scrutiny and revision as more groups became experiencing the wrath of a global coronavirus You make a difference. You have a voice. enfranchised. The right to vote grants us a pandemic, with over eight million confirmed Use it. voice in who is elected to office and how our cases in the U.S. alone, and will experience country governs itself. When tyranny, or a corrupt government or leader, rules, there is only one absolute voice. Democracy grants us a million voices. We are a nation decidedly of the people, by the people, and for the people. Many Americans are not so certain. Plutocracy, or government by the wealthy, seems to operate in the guise of democracy. The government does not seem to care about human health or prosperity, and fueled by capitalism, it considers only what generates profits and those who will either support or keep them in power. The criticisms are manifold and diverse. Some will argue that those in power are too radical and partisan; the government is and has been ineffective and inefficient; those in office are not diverse enough and do not represent an increasingly diverse electorate; the two-party system is ineffective and does more harm than good; the two-party system alienates voters and increases voter apathy; the two-party system does not represent alternative views; we should not have to always choose between two dominant presidential candidates; the two major candidates do not always align with voter values; third parties never win the presidency; leaning left or leaning right has become inseparable from certain character Photo from NPR traits; politics is in decline; we are too polarized and cannot work together; and my vote does Voting will conclude on Nov. 3. not matter. Page 8 Opinion The Clarion | October 21, 2020 Amazon workers calling for PTO time to vote By Kym Caldwell The petition has been signed around 4,000 statements on how to request your days off. Arts & Life Editor times by the Amazon warehouse employees. Amazon spokesperson Jaci Anderson said The employees have criticized Amazon for "We have supplied all of our employees with It is nearing the presidential election day and being uninterested in the issue and some have information on how to register to vote, details American citizens are ready to cast their ballots. even said that they do not see themselves of their local polling locations, and how to While many companies like Facebook, Apple, voting because they do not have time before or request time off to vote. In all 47 states with and Twitter have given their employees time on Election Day. It is hard for the employees in-person voting, employees that lack adequate off, some even going as far as to give workers to balance their commutes, their work in the time before or after their scheduled workday additional paid time off. Others have to work warehouse, and their personal obligations. to vote, can request and be provided excused on election day because it is not required. They also expressed their concerns about how time off.” Recently employees of Amazon have COVID-19 may affect voting this year. It may Employees are rightfully upset; they are expressed their displeasure with the policy. be made more difficult and many may not know having to choose between their jobs, the Amazon currently requires its employees to where to vote and the amount of time they will very way they provide for their families and use vacation time, if they are so lucky to have have to wait in line. Hour-long lines are said livelihood, and their right to vote. Workers it, to take time off to vote. A group of corporate to have been prevalent in Texas and Georgia are left hoping that Amazon will follow in the employees called Amazon Employees for which could detour voters. footsteps of other companies and make the Climate Justice is known for applying pressure Amazon has not stated what they will do right decisions. to the company for the injustice it does; they about the voting day with the election being less decided to launch an internal petition to receive than 20 days away, they have simply released time off to vote.

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Amazon workers in the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice group protesting for paid time off to vote. October 21, 2020 | The Clarion Sports Page 9 Staff Highlight Kayla Robles named Brevard College Director of Compliance & Academic Services By Phil de Montmollin here at Brevard College," said Nash. "In this Robles was a standout women's soccer Sports Information Director well-deserved promotion, Angie will now be varsity student-athlete at NCAA Division II BREVARD, N.C. – Kayla Robles has been a tremendous asset to the entire campus in her Valdosta State University where she took on named Director of Compliance & Academic new position." high-level responsibilities with the Student- Services at Brevard College, announced Robles arrives at Brevard College after Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She Director of Athletics Myranda Nash. gaining valuable experience at the NCAA and served as the Gulf South Conference's SAAC "On behalf of the entire Tornado family, we at NCAA Division I institution Ohio University. representative for the National Student-Athlete are so excited to welcome Kayla to Brevard Robles served as the NCAA Postgraduate Advisory Committee, where she participated in College," said Nash. "Her expertise and Academic Membership Affairs Intern at the conference and NCAA meetings on behalf of attention to detail in the areas of compliance association's headquarters in Indianapolis, student-athletes. In 2017 at the ceremony held as well as academic support will make her an Indiana from June, 2017 through May, 2018. At at the College Football Hall of Fame, Robles extremely valuable asset to our institution and the internship, Robles developed compliance was named Georgia's Most Positive Collegiate to all our student-athletes." education tools, processed interpretations Athlete by Positive Athlete Georgia, an Robles will begin her duties at Brevard and waivers for Division III institutions organization started by NFL star Hines Ward. College on December 1. and conferences. Robles also prepared and A native of Flowery Branch, Georgia, Robles "Brevard College is everything I hoped for presented legislative education at the NCAA's is a graduate of Valdosta State University in an opportunity to impact student-athletes," 2018 Regional Rules Seminar. with a Bachelor's of Business Administration said Robles. "The institution, coaches and staff For the 2019-20 academic year, Robles held degree in Business Management. She also are unbelievable and I am excited to work the position of the Graduate Assistant for the holds a Master of Business Administration and alongside outstanding individuals to enhance College of Business and Professional Programs a Master of Sport Administration from Ohio the student-athlete experience. Thank you to all at Ohio University. In that role, she developed University. the Brevard coaches and staff for welcoming a comprehensive Sport Administration 101 To follow the latest news and updates me into the family. Go Tornados!" class while also writing research findings surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow Robles will step into the role currently held on fan engagement, tickets and advocacy. the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @ by Angie Mascaro who has been elevated to Moreover, Robles co-authored the research bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College a new position in Campus Life for Brevard article "Determinants of Season Ticket Holder Tornados' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College College at large. Mascaro has worked with Advocacy in the NCAA Football Bowl Tornados' on SoundCloud, and 'Brevard Athletics since 2016 in a variety of roles. Subdivision" and co-presented the topic College Athletics' on Facebook. In addition, "We thank Angie for her incredible work "Leveraging the Power of the Intergenerational follow 'brevardcollege' on Flickr for photos these past four years which has elevated the Workplace" at the Women Celebrate from Brevard College events. areas of compliance and academic services Conference.

Courtesy of bctornados.com Page 10 Sports The Clarion | October 21, 2020 Staff Highlight Assistant AD/Senior Woman Administrator/ Co-SAAC Advisor Stephanie Johnson By Phil de Montmollin Johnson arrived at Brevard College from coaching at the Memphis Juniors Volleyball Sports Information Director Delaware Valley University (Pa.) where she Association as well as becoming the first head served as Assistant Director of Athletics since volleyball coach in school history at KIPP BREVARD, N.C. - Throughout the Fall, July of 2017. She also has experience as Academy Charter School in Memphis. the Brevard College Department of Athletics an Assistant Volleyball Coach at Delaware A native of Memphis, Johnson was an NCAA will be highlighting its staff members in a tri- Valley and in Women’s Basketball operations Division I volleyball student-athlete at Coppin weekly Staff Highlight Series, giving members for NCAA Division I University of Memphis. State University in Baltimore, Md. where she of the Athletic Administration and Coaching At Delaware Valley University, an NCAA also coached high school and club volleyball. Staff the opportunity to introduce themselves Division III institution in the Middle Atlantic A member of several national organizations, to the BC community through a series of Conference, Johnson has been responsible for Johnson is active in Women Leaders in College questions and biographical elements. a plethora of athletic administrative duties Sports, the National Association of Collegiate Next up in BC's Staff Highlight Series is in her role of Assistant Director of Athletics. Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Minority Brevard College Assistant AD/Senior Woman Her duties have included managing game day Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), Administrator/Co-SAAC Advisor Stephanie staff, game contracts, special events, facility the National Association of Division III Johnson, a former volleyball student-athlete enhancements, and the scheduling of athletic Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA), the at Coppin State University. facilities. As an Assistant Volleyball Coach National Association for Athletics Compliance bctornados.com: What has been your at Delaware Valley, Johnson’s responsibilities (NAAC) and the National Association of favorite professional memory? included fundraising, recruiting and student- Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Stephanie Johnson: When I had the athlete development. Johnson received a Bachelor’s of Science opportunity to work the 2018 Division III Prior to her tenure at Delaware Valley, in Sport Management from Coppin State National Field Hockey Championship! Johnson served as the Assistant Director of University in 2012 and a Master’s of Science bctornados.com: What makes Brevard Operations for the University of Memphis in Sport Commerce from the University of College a special place? Women’s Basketball program. At Memphis, Memphis in 2016. Stephanie Johnson: Here at Brevard Johnson handled the team’s travel budget, the To follow the latest news and updates College, I not only can grow as a professional, supervision of team managers, and summer surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow but I have the chance to impact students and I camp operations for the Lady Tigers. the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @ am able to do that with some Stephanie flare. Johnson began her athletics administration bctornados, subscribe to ‘Brevard College Some schools you have to be cookie cutter career at Briarcrest Christian High School in Tornados’ on YouTube, follow ‘Brevard and stick to their structure, but here I can truly Memphis, Tenn., where she coached volleyball College Tornados’ on SoundCloud, or like be myself. and was the Assistant to the Athletic Director. Brevard College Athletics on Facebook. Be bctornados.com: Who has been your biggest In 2016, Briarcrest Christian won the Tennessee sure to follow “brevardcollege” on Flickr for influence in your professional career? Division II Class AA state championship with the latest photos from all Brevard College Stephanie Johnson: The biggest influence in Johnson at the helm. Johnson’s seven-plus events. my career has been Myranda Nash. She went years of volleyball coaching also includes from being my mentor to my boss. She is one of my inspirations when it comes to career goals and she shows me so many great ways to be an Athletic Director. bctornados.com: What is some advice you would give to young people looking to get into the profession? Stephanie Johnson: Make sure you NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! You have to build an honest and genuine relationship with people because those are the people that will help you land a job. Stephanie Johnson began her second full year and third year overall as the Assistant Athletic Director, Senior Women Administrator, and Co-SAAC advisor at Brevard College in the 2020-21 academic year. Johnson was named Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Brevard College by Director of Athletics Myranda Nash in February of the 2018-19 academic year.